Cutting device



Oct. 11, 1938. H. A. CUMFER 2,132,460

CUTTING DEVICE Filed Decf4, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l lNvENToR #4R/17 A fam/ff? BY l M4146 f4 ATTORNEYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. A. CUMFER CUTTING DEVICE File-d Dec. 4, 1955 Oct. 1l, 1938.

Patented oct. 11, 1938 PATENT Aorricle:

' CUTTING DEVICE Harry A. Cumfer, Chicago, Ill., assigner to United States Gypsum Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application December 4, 1935, Serial No. 52,773

V9 Claims.

This invention'relates to the manufacture of covering elements and more especially to the production of roong elements intended to simulate aplurality of shingles or similar roong elements.

The invention particularly relatesto producing, from sheets of fabric `impregnated land coated with bituminous materials, covering elements in which the units are simulated by tabs upon the element separated by spaces or cut-outs formed by removal fromthesheet of a` portion thereof. n

Roofing strips intended to be laid in courses with the length of the strip in the coursewise direction and having formed upon one lengthwise edge of the strip a plurality` of tabs'separated by cut-outs heretofore have b'eenfproposed in many forms. Such strips have been .made by various forms of cutting devices, including the so-called cylinder cutters in which the cutting knives are mounted upon `the periphery of a rotor and the sheet is delivered in tangential or peripheral contact with the rotor and in such relation to the blade that when the knife has passed through the point of tangency of the sheetwith the rotor the sheet will have been severed by said knife. In this action the motion of' the knife in, its peripheral movement about the axis of .rotation has a component which is in a directiony transversely of the surface of the sheet, which effects the cutting of the sheet'to sever one portion` thereof from the other. The present invention isv particularly concerned with cutting .cylinders or` equivalent devices' which are, utilized for cutting sheets in this manner.

In` the manufacture-.of shingle strips or other covering units in which slots or cut-outs are formed a problem arises in the removal ofthe vpiece of material cut from the lsheet in the formation of. theslot or cut-out. Especially When sheets of fabric are impregnatedor are impregnated and coated with bituminous materials, such as asphalt or other mastic and adhesive saturants and coatings, the removal of the pieceof material corresponding to the slot becomes diiicult because of the adhesiveness of these saturants and coatings which causes the vpiece to cling toA the cutting device. Itbecomes necessary to take measures to insure the removal of Ythis piece if damage to the elements being made is not to occur and ifproper action of the cutting device is to be secured.

Heretofore it has been suggested to remove this piece of material by forcing the successive pieces inwardly toward lthe axis of the rotor through channels or vaults formedas 'by coring in the body of the rotor, a port being provided leading to a central cored chamber in the rotor or in some cases leading again to the circumference of the rotor at a place peripherally removed from the cutting knife. Such cutting devices, however, have the disadvantage that owing to the adhesive character of the pieces so removed and because of the limited cross-section of the channel the movement through the channel and through the port to clear the rotor of such pieces is interfered with or stopped. When this occurs the process of cutting the elements must be stopped in order to clear the rotor before proceeding.

The invention of the present application provides a positive means for moving the portions or pieces severed by the cutting knife soI as to clear this knife of said severed pieces. lThe invention provides for such removal Without interfering with the cutting action of the knife and effects a positive movement of removal of the lsevered piece after completion of the severing cut. The invention further provides for the positive ejection of the severed piece from the cutting device so that the knife is cleared of 'contact with the-severed pieces before again coming into cutting relation with the sheet. This action of the device of the present invention may be accomplished with materials of different kinds but is especially eifectivewhere the pieces which are severed are adhesive because of their being saturated or coated with adhesive materials, as in the manufacture of roofing elements.

While a simple embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in the specification, the invention finds application to cutting devices having different forms. It is a feature of the invention, however, that similarly to the embodiment illustrated and described, the invention finds particular application in those devices in which the cutting action proceeds in a continuous manner from the start of the cutting to the completion thereof and especially lwith concomitant motion of the sheet. This concomitant motion which, in the embodiment illustrated, is that occurring in feeding the sheet tangentially to the peripheral motion of the rotor, is combined with a motion of the knife as stated above, which is transversely of the movement of the sheet or has a component in said transverse direction. In the embodiment illustrated this is accomplished merely by the motion of the knife along the circumference of the circle about the axis upon which the rotor rotates.

In order to effect removal of the severed piece from contact with the knife the device of the invention provides means positioned adjacent the knife and arranged to be moved with respect to the knife in a direction of said transverse movement or ofV said component. In the illustrated embodiment the movement of said device is transversely of the peripheral extent of the rotor and, therefore, is transversely of the surface of the sheet when the knife is in cutting position. By this motion transversely of the surface of the rotor ejection of the severed piece from the rotor and from contact with the knife is secured and also recession of the means for effecting the ejecting may be accomplished so as to avoid interference with the cutting action of the knife when said knife is in cutting relation to the sheet. The means by which this motion transversely of the periphery of the rotor is accomplished will be more clearly understood, as -will be the operation of the device of the invention in the production of covering elements, from the description to follow in connection with the drawings in which Figure l shows in part a longitudinal section and in part an elevation of the device of the invention;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2--2V of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an end elevation of the device of the invention; and

Figure l is a side view in outline of the same.

In the drawings the rotor I is constructed with a body 3 which may be cast or forged in generally cylindrical form and may be provided with a shaft 5 cast integrally therewith and turned Vconcentric with the axis 1 of the cylinder. In the drawings the shaft 5 is shown extending at oneside of the rotor, only one-half of the length of the particular rotor illustrated being shown in the drawings. The shaft when mounted in suitablebearingsindicated by 8 makes possible the rotating of the rotor `upon its axis 1 by any suitable mea-ns, as by a spur gear on either or both ends of the shaft and fitting into the driving train of the machine. A sheet of material I3,

Fig. 3, may, therefore, be contacted and severed when passed between the rotor I anda counter cylinder or anvil roll 3.

In the periphery of the body 3 of the rotoris formed a recess orsocket II within which may be mounted arblock .I3 carrying the knife I4. Said knife, as formed in the particular embodiment illustrated, is provided with blades I5 bearing upon the shoulder l5 formed in the block I3. By means of screws I1 passing'laterally through the block I3 from each side thereof andhaving the heads I3 countersunk in the block I3, the knife |4 is held in place in the Lblock I3, the screws being tapped into the blades I5 of the knife I4. The block I3, together with the knife -I4, securely held therein as described, may be inserted in and removed from the recess I I. By means of bolts 2| having the heads23 thereof countersunk-in-the block I3 and tapped into the body 3 of the rotor the block I3 may be held securely in the Yrecess II. By removal of the bolts 2| the block I3 may be withdrawn bodily from the recess and thereafter the knife I4 may be removed from the block for the purpose of grinding or replacement.

The body 3 of the rotor also is longitudinally recessed at as shown in the cross-section in Figure 2 to provide a space within which the ejector bar 21 may be arranged, said bar being of such cross-section with respect to the recess that it may be moved transversely of its length in a direction outwardly and inwardly of the axis 1 of the rotor.' As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the ejector bar 21 is at the portion of the recess 25 toward the axis 1. Outwardly of the bar 21 may be seen a space between theV bar 21 and the bottom face I8 of the block I3. Fastened to the ejector bar 21 by means of bolts 29 tapped in the bar 21 is a block 3| of such cross section as to t the slotted portion 2|) of the block I3 and to pass up between the blades I5 of the knife I4. The dimension of the block 3| outwardly from the bar 21 is such that when the bar 21 is in the recessed position, as shown at the top of Figures 1, v2 and 3, the outer end of the block 3| is inwardly of the cutting edges of the knife I4 so that, as may be seen in Figure 3, the sheet I0 may be cut'by the knife I4 without interference ofthe block 3|.

Upon the ends of the ejector bar 21 are mounted rollers fitted to run upon-the turned portion 31 of the barl21. AThe turned portion 31 of the bar 21v projects beyond the end face 4 of the rotor bodyl 3 so that the roller 35 is exterior to the body 3 of the rotor.

A cam or eccentric plate is formed as a ring with its internal diameter fitting to the shaft 5 and held against the body 3 ofthe rotor by means of the end of `a stationary bearing sleeve or block 4| for the shaft5, by meansof set-screws 42 passing through a flange ring of plate 40 which snugly fits over the end of the said bearing. AIn the face of thecam plate 40 is formed a camgroove having-its outer face 43 parallel to the inner face 44 and of such width between said cam faces and of such depth inthe inner face of the camplate 40 that the cam roller 35 may flt into they groove thus formed in the cam plate 40 with a running clearance when the plate 49 is positioned against the body 3 of the rotor and held in engaging stationary position with the cam roller 35 by the bearing 4| as described.

The cam surfaces 43 and 44, which are shown in do-tted line in Figure 3, in the particular embodiment illustrated are cylindrical surfaces parallel to each other. These surfaces, however, are formed eccentric withthe axis 1 of the rotor. The cam plate 40 is held from rotation by means of thestationary bearing 4| and the set-screws '42. A bracket 41 is suitably fastened to the frame of .the machine or, as shown, to the cam plates 40 at the ends of the rotor by means of the screws 49 tapped in the cam plate 40. Also for each cam plate a pin 50,may be provided. A

wiper or stripper 5| of rubberor other flexible or resilient material is secured to the horizontal portion Vof `bracket 41 with its opposite free edge projecting into the path of the ends of the ejector blocks 3|, as seen in Figure 3, to brush off any cut out portions having a tendency to stick to the ejector blocks 3|. A cam plate 40 ymay be provided at each end of the rotor I, each cam plate having a similar groove formed with eccentric Ycam surfaces 43 and 44 and positioned in like relation as to direction of eccentricity with respect to the axis 1 of the rotor. A similar fastening means, as by the bearing and screws 42, may =be used at each end. These means of fastening prevent rotation of the cam plates "4U when the rotor cis rotated upon its axis 1 to bring the cutting knives into cutting engagement with the sheet 'IU kas the sheet moves tang'entially to the rotor- In view of the eccentrcty of the cam surfaces 43 `and. 44 and the .engagement Vof the roller -35 75 therewith it will now be understood that, as the rotor rotates upon its axis and as the Vbody 3 of the rotor carries the bar 2I and its block 3| around the axis V'I, the camroller 35will be moved outwardly and inwardly with respect to the axis 1 of the rotor in a complete revolution or rotation upon its axis; Thus the block 3| will be moved outwardly and inwardly within the space between the blades I5of the knife I4. In a rotation'from the position shown in Figure `3 where the upper Aknife is in cutting engagement with the sheet I and the block 3| is withdrawn below the edges of the knife blades I5, the block 3| will be moved outwardly between the blades until at the quarter revolution substantially the outer face 32 of theY block 3| may be at the periphery corresponding to the cutting edges of the knife blade I5.r In thismovement the piece of material which may be retained from the cut just finished between the knifeblades 4I5 has been pushed out between these blades land may fall clear of the rotor. If by the adhesiveness of the saturating or coating materials or for other reason the piece adheres to one or the other knife in the next quarter revolution, a further movementv of the block 3| is produced to completely pushthe severed piece clear of the'knife blades I5. If the piece still clings, the brush, wiper or stripperA I engages and effectuallyremoves it. Thereafter upon further rotation of the rotorthe block 3| recedes again between the knife blades I5 and when the blades I5 are about to come into cutting relation with thesheet I0 the-face 32 of the block 3| has receded below the edges of these blades so that the cutting may be started and completed without interference by the block 3|.

It will be understood that although in the illustrated embodiment the cam surfaces havebeen shown in the simple form provided by parallel cylindrical surfaces eccentric to the axis of the rotationof the rotor, other forms of cam surfaces may be used to effect a quick ejection or a dwell in the different portions of the revolution. 'Ihe device illustrated, however, provides an easy motion which is mechanically positive and is effective to move the ejector block between the knife blades and to eject the severed pieces frombetween the blades. No complicated kinematic motions are involved, and the parts may be readily removed for renewal orv repairs. Such removal may be effected by removal of the rotor unit and the bearing as a whole from the machine frame or housing and disassembling the parts. The knives may, of course, be quickly removed without taking out the rotor. The rotor may be provided also with suitable severing knives or blades as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, a circumferential knife or blade being indicated at 85 and a longitudinal knife or blade at 89, these being arranged, supported and secured in any desired or usual way.

In Figure 1 in the cam plate 40 is shown a groove |00 cut in the inner face of the plate adjacent the periphery thereof in such position as to be covered by the end of the body 3 of the rotor I or by the filler plates |02. 'I'his groove preferably is filled with a felt gasket or washer of suitable size and section to bear against the end of the body 3 and the filler plates |02 as the rotor I is rotated between the cam plates 40. This gasket serves to prevent dust or grit or other foreign material passing between the body 3 of the ro-tor I and the cam plate 40 and entering the recess 25. Thus the internal reciprocating parts of the ejector mechanism and the cam roll 35 and the cam surfaces 43 and 44 are protected against damage due to grit and interference with their operation.

lFigure 4 shows in diagrammatic outline the complete rotor in which two circumferential rows or sets of knives I5 are shown, that being the usual arrangement, though of course any number of rows or length of rotor may be provided. These knives or associated parts are all of the same construction, arrangement and operation as those specifically shown and described, except that the longitudinal recesses in the rotor and the ejector bars 21 therein suice for the plurality, in this instance two, of knife assemblies, ejector blocks 3|, etc. which are disposed in the same longitudinal line of the rotor. Thus a single ejector bar serves as the operating means for a plurality 'of ejector blocks.

Various modifications of the invention from that illustrated in` the drawings and particularly described may be made without departing from the sipirit of the invention. Different forms of mechanism to produce the motion of the ejector block 3| may be utilized which secure the proper time relation between the ejecting action and the cutting of the sheet. All such variations are within the scope of the invention and are intended to be covered by the claims.

Having thus described my invention, I now claim:

1. In a rotary cutting device, a knife blade mounted adjacent the periphery thereof with one of the faces or said blade which form the cutting edge extending in a plane transversely of the peripheral extent of the device, a member adjacent said face of the device arranged for movement in a direction generally parallel to said face of the blade, a cam surface described around the axis of rotation of said device, and a cam roller arranged for rolling upon said cam surface and connected to said member, said parts being arranged so that upon rotation of the device said member is moved outwardly from said axis.

2. In a rotary cutting device, a knife blade mounted adjacent the periphery thereof with one'of the faces of said blade which form the cutting edge extending in a plane transversely of the peripheral extent of the device, a member adjacent said face of the device arranged for movement in a direction generally parallel to said face of the blade, a fixed member providing a cam surface described completely around the axis of rotation of said device, means carrying a cam roller and fastened to said member so as to move therewith and formed and arranged to hold said cam roller in contact with said cam surface as said device rotates upon said axis, whereby reciprocal movement of said member in said direction is effected.

3. In a rotary cutting device, a rotor arranged to rotate upon an axis and having a periphery generally concentric with said axis, said rotor being formed to hold a knife having a blade Ywith that face of said blade which, with the bevel face, a bar fastened'to saidblock and arranged with an end thereof adjacent said eccentric surface and-providing an axis substantially parallel to said eccentric surface, and a roller larranged to turn'upon said axis provided by said bar and to roll upon said eccentric surface to cause movement of `said block loutwardly and inwardly in said slot upon rotation of said rotorrupon its axis.

4. In a rotary cutting device as in claim 3, means for moving a sheet of material into Vperipheral cutting contact with said knife when saidblock is at a point inwardly of.A said slot to leave the blade free of interference with the cutting, said parts being so arranged that upon outward movement of said block the portion of the sheet severed at said face of the blade is moved out of contact therewith.

5. In a cutting machine of the character described, a movable knife support for cutting cooperation with an anvilsaid support having an open end T shaped slot in the surface thereof extending the entire length of said support and providing longitudinal shoulders, a longitudinal ejector bar in said slot below said shoulders and arrangedY for bodilyA lateralmovement therein, a cutting block on said shoulders, outwardly extending knives on said cutting block substantially vin lateral alignment with said bar, lan ejector memberA between said knives and movable with said bar, automatic means for moving said bar during movement of said support and iiller blocks closing said T slot between said cutting blocks.

6. A cuttingl rotor of the character described comprising a cylinder having a plurality of longitudinalradially disposed open end slots extending therentire length of said cylinder, elongated interchangeable longitudinal bars said slots and spaced from the circumference of said cylinder, means for bodily later-al movement of said bars during a rotation of said cylinder, interchangeable cutter blocks substantially flush with the surface of said cylinder, said blocks having openings therein substantially in radial alignment with said bars, said blocks having outwardly extending cutting edges dening said openings, and ejector members on said bars and substantially iilling said openings, and ller blocks closing said slots between said cutter blocks.

7. A cutting rotor of the character described comprising a cylinder having a plurality of longitudinal radially disposed open end slots extending the entire length of said cylinder, elongated interchangeable longitudinal bars in said slots andv spaced from the circumference of said cylinderffmeans-for'bodily lateral movement of said bars during-a rotation of said cylinder, interchangeable utter blocks substantially flush with the surface of said. cylinder, said blocks having openings therein substantially in radial alignmentwith said bars, said blocks having outwardly extending cutting edges defining saidopenings, ejectorlmembers on said bars and substantially filling said openings, and means accessiblelfrom outsidesaid cylinder to enable removal of said ejector blocks through said openings.

8-.fI'n a cutting machine of the character described, a cylindrical cutting rotor arranged for continuous rotation for cutting cooperation with an anvil roll, said rotor having longitudinal radially disposed T shaped peripheral slots, the T. slots providing longitudinal shouldersflongitudinal bars in said T slots below the said .shoulders and arranged for radial reciprocatingv movement therein, cutting blocks supported on said shoulders and having their outer surfaces formingcontinuations ofthe surface of said rotor,

said cutting blocks having kopenings therethrough iniradial alignment with said bars, cutters on opposite -sides of said openings and extending beyond the surface of said rotor for cutting cooperation with said anvil roll, ejector members removably secured' to said bars and substantially lling the openingbetween said knives and terminating below the cutting edges thereof, and means for reciprocating said bars during a revolution of said rotor to cause said ejector members to ejectcut portions from between said knives.

'9. A cutting device of the character described comprising a rotor having a longitudinal chamber completely therethrough between the axis and the yface of the rotor, a Anormally fixed member substantiallylsealing each end of said chamber and arranged to permit rotation of said rotor therebetween, a longitudinal ejector bar in said chamber, meanslto cause automatic lateral reciprocation ofy said ejector bar during movement of said rotor, said chamber forming a substantial passage past said bar during its movement, spaced cutting knives on saidrotor substantially in radial alignment with said bar, an ejector member on said bar and extending through the rotor wall and between said knives, and providing a substantially sealed joint between said member and the-rotor Wall.

HARRY A. CUMFER. 

